Chalcopyrite Crystals from Peru
Distinctive chalcopyrite tumbled stones carefully chosen for our collection of rocks and minerals.
Chalcopyrite, a brassy-yellow-coloured mineral with a metallic lustre, has been widely used as an ore of copper for around five thousand years.
It currently accounts for half of the world's copper production.
Chalcopyrite is a copper iron sulphide mineral meaning it's a chemical compound of copper, iron and sulphur.
Although other minerals contain more copper, chalcopyrite is the most important ore because of its abundance.
Chalcopyrite conducts electricity and is prone to tarnishing. When tarnished, it can exhibit a dull grey-green colour.
After being exposed to acid, shades of red, blue and purple can often be seen. These colours may be iridescent.
Chalcopyrite that's been soaked in acid is often sold as Peacock Ore.
Peacock Ore is a trade name for Bornite, another copper-iron sulphide mineral and ore of copper. As bornite tarnishes through exposure to air, it naturally forms an iridescent tarnish that exhibits vivid shades of blue, purple, red, green and yellow.
Bornite is not particularly common, so it's highly sought after by collectors.
Where the iridescent colours look excessively vibrant, the material is likely to be chalcopyrite treated with acid.
These chalcopyrite tumbled stones are a medium-size, but size can vary from piece to piece.
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